Wednesday, February 13, 2013

On the Vilna Gaon yeshiva in Harlem, and 100th yahrzeit rumor from 1897

Here is the announcement of the formation of a yeshiva in Harlem called Yeshivas Ha-gaon Eliyahu Vilna in 1907. If f anyone has any further info if this actually occurred beyond what was stated here (45 students), please let me know. From the American Hebrew.

And here is an interesting story about a rumor, apparently sweeping eastern Europe, that a letter from the Vilna Ga'on was going to be publicized for his 100th yahrzeit as per his alleged instructions. American Hebreew 1897. (This rumor does not, by the way, refer to Alim li-Trufah, the well-known letter by Rabbi Eliyah Wilna, which was already published in 1849, and perhaps earlier.)

From http://www.ajcarchives.org/ajcarchive/DigitalArchive.aspx. Do a search in American Jewish Year Book for Samuel Hirsdansky:1903:Hirsdansky, Samuel Z'vi. Rabbi of B'nai Pithche Teshubah, New York City. Born Ab 7, 5608, at Kovno, Russia. Son of Abraham Isaac Hirsdansky and Rachel Miriam Iviensky. Educated at Talmudical Colleges of Kovno and Volosin, Russia. Rabbinical diploma conferred by Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Spector, Kovno. Was Rabbi in Congregations Anshei Emeth, Agudath Achim Chesed Shel Emeth, Anshei Makowa, and Anshei Kroz, azl in New York City. Founder of an Old People's Home; a Society for the Aid of the Sick; a Kosher Food House for Jewish Soldiers; a Free Transportation Society, etc.; all in Kovno. Was Gabai of the Kovno Talmudical College. Address: 10 East 103rd, NewYork City.